The Thinking Pod Innovations
The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPi) is a Nottingham-based power electronics spin-out from the University of Nottingham that designs and licenses compact, wide-bandgap (GaN/SiC) power converters, DC-DC converters, and integrated motor drives for electric vehicles, industrial motor systems, aerospace, and renewable energy grid applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersNottingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Thinking Pod Innovations does
The Thinking Pod Innovations Ltd. (TTPi) is a private spin-out from the University of Nottingham's Power Electronics and Machine Centre (PEMC), incorporated in 2017 and formally spun out in 2020. The company designs and develops advanced power electronics building blocks — including GaN/SiC wide-bandgap semiconductor converters, FPGA-controlled motor drives, matrix converters, and embedded GaN pre-packages — that target three primary end markets: electric vehicles and zero-emission transport (Bentley, Ferrari, Advanced Electric Machines, Riversimple, GreenFlux Motors), industrial motor systems (ITT's VIDAR smart motor), and grid-connected renewable energy and aerospace (National Grid ESO, magniX). Its flagship product, the VIDAR smart electric motor co-developed with ITT, embeds a high-efficiency power converter directly inside the motor housing, claiming up to 52% energy savings, 60% size reduction, and 4x weight reduction versus conventional variable-frequency-drive architectures; this product was commercially launched in the United States in March 2025.
TTPi's core technology portfolio is anchored by FPGA-based digital control platforms with sub-microsecond update rates, neural-network-driven efficiency optimization, and novel converter topologies (multi-level, ARCP, hybrid resonant switching, matrix converters) that push power-conversion efficiency above 97.9% and achieve power densities up to 80% smaller than silicon-based equivalents. The company operates a hybrid revenue model spanning hardware sales (modular DC-DC converters rated 1.5kW–50kW), technology licensing and royalty arrangements with manufacturers, paid commercial development agreements with partners such as Infineon and National Grid ESO, and engineering consulting. Distribution is exclusively B2B direct enterprise sales and OEM licensing into named accounts; the firm maintains only 14 staff across its Nottingham headquarters and co-located R&D facilities at the University of Nottingham Innovation Park.
TTPi was previously funded almost entirely through non-dilutive UK public grants (Innovate UK, UKRI/EPSRC, DRIVE35, Driving the Electric Revolution) and commercial development income. The company secured its first external equity investment of £340,000 in December 2024 from the University of Nottingham, fellow academics, and friends and family, and in 2025 co-founder Dr Liliana de Lillo was awarded a £7 million EPSRC grant to lead a sustainable electrification research program across three UK universities. Leadership is anchored by co-founders Dr Liliana de Lillo and Prof Lee Empringham as Company Directors, with David Whelan as Chairman and Andy Dargle (formerly VP at Ultra Electronics – PCS) appointed Chief Engineer in January 2025 to drive productization.
The Thinking Pod Innovations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Thinking Pod Innovations
- Legal name
- The Thinking Pod Innovations Ltd.
- Website
- https://ttpi.tech
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPi) is a Nottingham-based power electronics spin-out from the University of Nottingham that designs and licenses compact, wide-bandgap (GaN/SiC) power converters, DC-DC converters, and integrated motor drives for electric vehicles, industrial motor systems, aerospace, and renewable energy grid applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Thinking Pod Innovations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Power Electronics
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (33361), Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)
- SIC
- Motors & Generators (3621), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Power Modules (IGBT/MOSFET/SiC/GaN Modules) (HDAHAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wide-Bandgap (SiC/GaN) Power Modules, Gate Drivers & Packaging (EUAFAIAJ), Wide-Bandgap Power Devices (SiC/GaN Discretes) (HDAHAHAG)
Keywords
Where The Thinking Pod Innovations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nottingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Thinking Pod Innovations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: TTPi licenses its proprietary power electronics technology to manufacturers for integration into their products. The company is developing commercial licence agreements and patents from its innovations.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of power converters, motor drives, and integrated systems including the VIDAR smart electric motor and modular DC-DC converter products.
- Commercial Development Agreements: Revenue generated through paid commercial development agreements with partners such as Advanced Electric Machines, National Grid ESO, and Infineon Technologies.
- Consulting and Engineering Services: Engineering consulting services leveraging TTPi's technical expertise in power electronics design, validation, and testing for industrial and automotive applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise solutions - no public pricing tiers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Thinking Pod Innovations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPi) develops advanced power electronics technology — power converters, motor drives, and integrated motor systems — using GaN and SiC wide bandgap semiconductors with FPGA-based digital control and AI-based optimization. The company partners with world-leading OEMs as an embedded/licensing partner to deliver compact, lightweight, ultra-efficient power solutions (up to 97.9% efficiency, up to 60% size reduction, up to 4x lighter) for electric vehicles, green aerospace, industrial processes, and renewable energy integration.
Product overview
The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPi) offers a portfolio of power electronics products centered on ultra-efficient power converters and integrated motor drives. The core offerings include the VIDAR Smart Electric Motor (launched March 2025), Modular DC-DC Converters (GaN-based, 97.9% efficiency, 1.5kW-50kW scalable), and various power converter technologies (AC-DC, DC-AC, AC-AC Matrix Converters). These products integrate advanced AI-based efficiency optimization, FPGA control systems, and wide bandgap semiconductor technologies (GaN, SiC) to deliver compact, lightweight solutions for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, green aerospace, and industrial processes. The product line is designed to work together as part of complete electrification systems, with the DC-DC converters and motor drives serving as building blocks for EVs, aircraft, and industrial automation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VIDAR: VIDAR smart electric motor - an intelligent electric motor system that adjusts speed in response to changing workload, developed in partnership with ITT's VIDAR division and University of Nottingham. Launched commercially in March 2025.
Products and services
- VIDAR Smart Electric Motor Intelligent electric motor system developed in partnership with ITT that embeds a high-efficiency power converter directly into the motor housing, adjusting speed in response to changing workload. Reduces system footprint by up to 60%, eliminates bulky external VFDs, and delivers up to 52% energy savings in industrial pump and fan installations.
- Modular DC-DC Converters Compact, lightweight, highly efficient DC-DC converters using GaN-based bidirectional operation with power conversion efficiencies up to 97.9%. Modular and scalable from 1.5kW to 50kW with AI-based automatic efficiency optimisation and ZVS high-frequency switching (400kHz to 1.3MHz). Designed for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage applications.
- Power Converters and Motor Drive Systems State-of-the-art power converters, motor drives and control systems leveraging GaN and SiC wide bandgap semiconductors for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, green aerospace and industrial processes. Delivers light, compact, modular units with major savings in energy, cost, size and weight.
- Matrix Converter AC-AC Three-phase to three-phase matrix converter drive topology reference design enabling direct AC-to-AC conversion without a DC link stage. Delivers breakthrough efficiency, power density and control precision for industrial motor-drive applications.
- Embedded GaN Pre-packages (P3EP) Pre-packaged GaN power devices (650V/60A) with no wire bonds, embedded into PCB-based packages for compact, ultra-efficient power electronics. Supports both surface mounting and embedding options, achieving >99% efficiency with power densities up to 80% smaller than silicon-based equivalents.
- Grid Integration Solutions Power converter platforms for grid integration that enable renewable energy generation and storage systems to deliver stable, reliable power. Includes 50kW three-phase converters with Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) technology for grid-forming inverter applications supporting network stability.
Quantifiable outcome
- 52% energy savings in industrial motor installations
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Thinking Pod Innovations
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Thinking Pod Innovations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature7 records
The Thinking Pod Innovations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.
- ITT (VIDAR)flagshipLong-term collaboration between TTPi, University of Nottingham, and ITT's VIDAR division to develop intelligent electric motor technology. TTPi led high-performance digital control design, systems engineering, and project management. VIDAR launched commercially in March 2025 in the US market.
- University of NottinghamcoreSpin-out origin and ongoing R&D collaboration with Power Electronics and Machine Centre (PEMC) group. University is also an investor through Nottingham Technology Ventures.
- Bentley MotorscoreOCTA project developing rare-earth free, copper-free powertrain (e-axle) for electric vehicles with integrated power electronics delivering greater power density and efficiency.
- Infineon TechnologiescoreJoint development of Matrix Converter AC-AC reference design delivering three fully functional prototypes for industrial motor drives. Infineon provided custom bi-directional SiC switch modules.
- National Grid ESOcoreGrid stability project creating 50kW three-phase power converter to validate Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) grid-control algorithms for renewable energy integration.
- magniXcoreCollaboration on electric propulsion systems for electrified aircraft. magniX CTO Riona Armesmith serves on TTPi Advisory Board.
- Advanced Electric MachinescoreCommercial development agreements for power electronics and motor drive systems for electric vehicles.
- RiversimplemajorZELLOR consortium partner for zero-emission vehicle development with hydrogen fuel cell powertrain integration, targeting vehicles under 1,000kg with 400+ mile range.
- GreenFlux MotorsmajorZELLOR consortium partner providing high power-density electric motors for zero-emission vehicle development.
- University of BathminorOCTA research consortium partner in sustainable electric vehicle powertrain development.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Thinking Pod Innovations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cambridge GaN Devices: UK-based fabless semiconductor company developing GaN power devices for high-efficiency power conversion. Direct peer via shared GaN/embedded packaging focus and existing P3EP consortium partnership, targeting similar automotive, industrial, and renewable energy applications.
- Efficient Power Conversion (EPC): US-based pioneer in enhancement-mode GaN power transistors and integrated circuits for power conversion. Direct competitor in GaN-based power electronics with comparable focus on high-frequency, high-efficiency converters for automotive, industrial, and renewable applications.
- GaN Systems: Canadian GaN power transistor company serving automotive, industrial, data center, and consumer markets. Closely comparable as a GaN-focused power semiconductor company pursuing similar end markets including EV power conversion and industrial motor drives.
- Navitas Semiconductor: US-based GaN and SiC power IC company with integrated gate drivers and high-frequency power solutions. Direct peer in next-generation WBG power electronics, with overlapping target applications in EV charging, data center, solar, and motor drives.
Broad incumbents
- Infineon Technologies: Global semiconductor leader with broad SiC and GaN power portfolios serving automotive, industrial, and renewable markets. Functions as both a TTPi development partner (matrix converter co-development) and a large-scale competitor with established fab capacity, customer relationships, and qualified automotive/aerospace components.
- Wolfspeed: US-based pure-play SiC power semiconductor manufacturer serving EV, industrial, energy, and aerospace markets. Largest dedicated SiC competitor with vertically integrated substrate-to-module manufacturing and large customer wins (e.g., GM, Lucid), competing directly with TTPi's SiC-based products at the device level.
- STMicroelectronics: European semiconductor incumbent with broad SiC and GaN power portfolios and automotive-grade qualifications. Comparable as a scaled power electronics supplier with overlapping EV, industrial, and renewable customers; relevant comparison point on automotive qualification timelines and volume manufacturing economics.
- Power Integrations: US-based supplier of high-voltage integrated circuits for power conversion in industrial, consumer, and renewable applications. Comparable as a power conversion specialist, though focused on lower-voltage gate drivers and ICs rather than full system-level converter design that TTPi pursues.
- Allegro MicroSystems: US-based semiconductor company specializing in motor driver ICs, magnetic sensors, and power management ICs for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Comparable in serving industrial motor drive applications, though primarily at the IC/component level rather than full power converter systems.
Emerging players
- VisIC Technologies: Israel-based GaN power device company targeting automotive and high-power industrial applications. Emerging peer with narrower GaN product line but comparable focus on EV powertrain and high-efficiency power conversion use cases overlapping with TTPi's automotive and industrial verticals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Thinking Pod Innovations social profiles
Digital presenceThe Thinking Pod Innovations compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Thinking Pod Innovations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Thinking Pod Innovations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Thinking Pod Innovations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Thinking Pod Innovations M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Thinking Pod Innovations
What does The Thinking Pod Innovations do?
The Thinking Pod Innovations (TTPi) develops advanced power electronics technology — power converters, motor drives, and integrated motor systems — using GaN and SiC wide bandgap semiconductors with FPGA-based digital control and AI-based optimization. The company partners with world-leading OEMs as an embedded/licensing partner to deliver compact, lightweight, ultra-efficient power solutions (up to 97.9% efficiency, up to 60% size reduction, up to 4x lighter) for electric vehicles, green aerospace, industrial processes, and renewable energy integration.
Is The Thinking Pod Innovations a public or private company?
The Thinking Pod Innovations is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was The Thinking Pod Innovations founded?
The Thinking Pod Innovations was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Thinking Pod Innovations based?
The Thinking Pod Innovations is headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Thinking Pod Innovations make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales, commercial Development Agreements and consulting and Engineering Services.
Who are The Thinking Pod Innovations's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cambridge GaN Devices, Efficient Power Conversion (EPC), GaN Systems and Navitas Semiconductor. Broad incumbents are Infineon Technologies, Wolfspeed, STMicroelectronics, Power Integrations and Allegro MicroSystems. VisIC Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Thinking Pod Innovations have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Thinking Pod Innovations.
What industry is The Thinking Pod Innovations in?
The Thinking Pod Innovations's product category is Power Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAHAH, Power Modules (IGBT/MOSFET/SiC/GaN Modules), with a secondary code of EUAFAIAJ, Wide-Bandgap (SiC/GaN) Power Modules, Gate Drivers & Packaging. Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3621.